And that's really the only difference between me and the remaining original betas. My hat is off to you guys, and my junker Jetta is still wasting away in Wayne's lawn. (I now feel pretty bad about dumping that on him for this project two years ago.)
I still love the G3F idea, but three years later it's still just an idea -- and major aspects like the top are essentially still complete unknowns! I fear that the comparison to the stillborn FFR Spyder is a good one. That was Mark's baby too, wasn't it, before leaving to do the whaler? The replica cars have been pretty good bread and butter for the Smiths, and Dave got a well-reviewed "halo car" with the lower-volume somewhat-original GTM. I will continue to hope that Mark finally chalks up a win in the original project column.
Cheers, John
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2011 Dodge 2500 Cummins 6.7L - biodiesel-fueled daily driver JHETTO: 2001 VW Jetta TDI, intended as G3F donor, FOR SALE
I hesitate to ask this, for fear of being a downer or of sounding like a broken record, but have any of you beta folks heard any news about the top? I've said before I consider you a brave crew for cutting off your roofs without replacements, but I'm beginning to worry this car - and your beta rides - will end up like the FFR Spyder did.
No news on the top. Mark did post a pic last week with the top on, but it looked the same as it did a year ago, more of a mock-up than a prototype.
My hat is off to you guys, and my junker Jetta is still wasting away in Wayne's lawn. (I now feel pretty bad about dumping that on him for this project two years ago.)
Cheers, John
Well it gets moved every 2 weeks to mow the grass
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Has the design of the front wheel arches changed since last year, or is the car in this video missing some panels?
Edit: I looked on the privacy invading, proprietary website which convinces companies not to invest in their own proper Internet presence and found this:
"Front lower panels are removed so that I can easily connect/reconnect sway bar up front."
You are right, trying to get good information on FB is a waste of time.
Anyone know how many beta kits have been delivered? From what I can tell, Mark has two cars running, a white and a gray? Any driving impressions yet? I saw a post on FB about the trucklet kit ready for this fall and 500 kits/year production by mid 2013?
Last edited by soareyes; 07-22-2012 at 07:40 PM..
Reason: spelling
No updates (or progress) on the top or remaining body parts as far as I can tell. I hope we get those before he does the trucklet or any other side projects.
We have seen video of one incomplete car moving under its own power. I would bet we would have seen a video of the VR6 car moving if it could.
No idea how many betas have shipped. He talks about one per week, but with no forum, there is almost no communication amongst the beta builders. The only ones I know about are the 4 of us that continue using this abandoned venue.
The Facebook page seems >= 95% PR and <= 5% content, the latter hidden by the former.
I'd say you're very generous on the content side.
For all the negative things I've said about the Wastebook angle of the project, I can say this with a positive spin: it's very reflective of the project as a whole.
Cheers, John
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FFR1004105RD - world's first twin-turbo BMW V12-powered FFR Roadster
2011 Dodge 2500 Cummins 6.7L - biodiesel-fueled daily driver JHETTO: 2001 VW Jetta TDI, intended as G3F donor, FOR SALE
Last edited by dukegrad98; 07-22-2012 at 09:17 PM..
Any updates on the project that you beta builders could provide?
I'll provide a few updates as I've talked with Mark a couple of times in the past week. This is my understanding so I could be wrong and things will likely change. In no particular order:
The hard top is still being worked on and has gone through several iterations. My conversations with Mark are centered around being able to get to the engine by myself even when the hard top is on. The rough prototype that we've all seen requires the entire top to be removed before the rear deck can be removed to get to the engine. If you look at the 'silver' car, you'll see a rear deck that is different than the one we've seen before. This allows a tilt feature and the humps can also hide access panels. Though it may not look like it, that is significant step forward for a better hard top. Mark expects he'll have a few more weeks of work before this current iteration exists.
The 'silver' car is the same as the 'white' car. They just changed the wrap. (Borrowing a page from Shelby's book, I think.)
His original carpet supplier will be getting a call today from Mark to rattle his chain a bit. Mark has a secondary supplier should this one back out.
The cat-back portion of the exhaust is common across all engines but the headers are different. He has the TDI exhaust done but has not done much with the VR6 nor the 1.8t. He has the 1.8t engine out so he'll just need to drop it into one of the mules to finalize that. He hopes to have that done in a few weeks.
He'll be shipping out my windshield frame in the next week or two along with several other small parts. That should be enough parts to get me driving. He then plans a trip out to help with the body / visit.
Michael Gallant is back in the shop this week and will be finallizing the fuel system design for the gassers. This shouldn't be a big deal, it just needs to be finallized. (Michael did a great job with several other sub-systems so I'm glad to hear he's back.)
They were not able to go to show this past weekend but that artificial deadline forced them to finish a lot of the small items.
I did tell Mark that he needed to check back on this forum so maybe he'll chime in and correct me on the things it get wrong.
I'll provide a few updates as I've talked with Mark a couple of times in the past week. This is my understanding so I could be wrong and things will likely change. In no particular order:
The hard top is still being worked on and has gone through several iterations. My conversations with Mark are centered around being able to get to the engine by myself even when the hard top is on. The rough prototype that we've all seen requires the entire top to be removed before the rear deck can be removed to get to the engine. If you look at the 'silver' car, you'll see a rear deck that is different than the one we've seen before. This allows a tilt feature and the humps can also hide access panels. Though it may not look like it, that is significant step forward for a better hard top. Mark expects he'll have a few more weeks of work before this current iteration exists.
The 'silver' car is the same as the 'white' car. They just changed the wrap. (Borrowing a page from Shelby's book, I think.)
His original carpet supplier will be getting a call today from Mark to rattle his chain a bit. Mark has a secondary supplier should this one back out.
The cat-back portion of the exhaust is common across all engines but the headers are different. He has the TDI exhaust done but has not done much with the VR6 nor the 1.8t. He has the 1.8t engine out so he'll just need to drop it into one of the mules to finalize that. He hopes to have that done in a few weeks.
He'll be shipping out my windshield frame in the next week or two along with several other small parts. That should be enough parts to get me driving. He then plans a trip out to help with the body / visit.
Michael Gallant is back in the shop this week and will be finallizing the fuel system design for the gassers. This shouldn't be a big deal, it just needs to be finallized. (Michael did a great job with several other sub-systems so I'm glad to hear he's back.)
They were not able to go to show this past weekend but that artificial deadline forced them to finish a lot of the small items.
I did tell Mark that he needed to check back on this forum so maybe he'll chime in and correct me on the things it get wrong.
I hope that helps!
That's a great update. Thank you! I'm pleased to hear there is some progress on the top. That's the one outstanding part that could make or break this car, depending whether it's completed or not.
Thanks for the update Clint; I'm waiting for the same parts as you, so looks like we'll soon be building again! I'm disappointed they didn't make the show last weekend, but grateful for the forward progress.
Now I gotta finish this racecar bed for my grandson before the new G3F parts arrive. Focus, focus...
Smyth G3F Beta-build: 1999.5 Jetta TDI donor, Malone Stage 2 Tune and injectors. Love my Roadster; the G3F will be my daily driver. Build details here:http://www.g3f-jlphil.blogspot.com/
His original carpet supplier will be getting a call today from Mark to rattle his chain a bit. Mark has a secondary supplier should this one back out.
Looks like the carpet guy just needed a reminder. Mark will be getting the first two sets in black and tan next week. If you want any other colors, let him know. I don't think this is part of the kit but an option since we are cutting up old cars.
I talked with Mark two days ago and nothing had been shipped yet. In his defense, I was asking for a couple items that weren't finalized yet, namely the exhaust. If you don't use Facebook, Mark posted a video of the 'finalized' exhaust. I say 'finalized' because only the tdi header and back half is done. The headers for the 1.8t and VR6 are not finalized yet.
Yes I do watch on facebook, that's why I thought you guys had gotten the rest of your parts. I guess just because I read it on the internet doesn't mean its true.
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I talked to Mark yesterday, and he assured me that exhaust systems (TDI) will ship today or Monday.
I forgot to ask about the door caps, as those are the parts I need to finish the placement of the rear section. "How to" pics on placement of the trunk frame should be coming soon.
I'm eager to get back to work ! We have been driving around in the yard (fabricated a short straight pipe to contain the exhaust) for a couple of months now.
I have not been to FFR for a while, and am pleased to see some chatter going on. I'll watch more closely now.
As I understand it, there are 10 of us actively building. I have no idea where the other 6 are, but I think 2 of them are in NC. (Uwe Lenger, and Keith Collins)
I think I have it ! Not as difficult as I thought.
I'm the Senior in this group, and not as savvy as you younger guys.
Now for the "Moment of Truth"
It Worked ! I have a new confidence level.
I have lots of pics. We chose to retain the OEM Airbox, made a new bracket for the fuel cell, re-routed the intercooler piping (lower -- below the dip stick) , and routed the water piping around the fuel cell, rather than over it.
YEAH! An active go cart is BIG beta news! Glad to see the pics. I'm about to dive back into mine, and hope to go cart soon with arrival of windshield frame, etc. How did you prime the fuel pump on your TDI, after installing the fuel lines and filling the tank? I'm planning to try a suction pump on the fuel line at the filter, and bleed air out of the injectors by cracking them loose while cranking. Any better idea? Congrats on having a driver, that is totally great!
Smyth G3F Beta-build: 1999.5 Jetta TDI donor, Malone Stage 2 Tune and injectors. Love my Roadster; the G3F will be my daily driver. Build details here:http://www.g3f-jlphil.blogspot.com/
What you are contemplating should work fine. We used a MitiVac to fill the lines, Be sure the filter canister is full. Having a compadre handy for cracking the fuel lines at the injectors is helpful.
Mark mentioned that he was sending your windshield frame, and I asked him to alert you to the fact that you should adjust the doors prior to installing it. We did not do that, and had to remove it to get to the inside hinge bolt. I'll drill a hole in the frame to provide access should it have to be done again.
I'm just leaving it out for now (Windshield frame) as Michael is experimenting raising the dash 1/2" to allow for use of the original heater ducting (defroster), and accommodation of the cabin filter. I could use the extra legroom as well.
I have not been to FFR for a while, and am pleased to see some chatter going on. I'll watch more closely now.
As I understand it, there are 10 of us actively building. I have no idea where the other 6 are, but I think 2 of them are in NC. (Uwe Lenger, and Keith Collins)
I'll chime in for now. Pleased to see some positive chatter, so I'll join in the same. I've been busy with the preliminary gutting, cutting, and subframe bolting stuff. Not as far along as John, Clint, or Bob for sure, but having fun. I got the pallet last month and am thrilled to be making good progress.
The mentally tough part right now is having about 40 hours in, getting some major "I can see the result" type stuff done, and now having to slow down to glean what I can from other builders' and Mark's photos & comments. I understand Mike Gallant has been helping out quite a bit and steamrolling through a build manual. I for one will be ecstatic to see it "published" in a pdf or other format. I'll be happy to send in edits, tips, and other questions to help develop it in any way I can for the rest of y'all that are looking to build in the future.
Anyway, feel free to follow along on my build blog @ imstracingg3f.blogspot.com if you're interested. I obviously don't post on here a lot, but I do update the blog at the end of each day I work on the car.
Oh, one last thing...as a change from my previous status here, I decided to keep my TDI on the road throughout this build as I picked up a VR6 on the cheap. Maybe I'll build another when I'm done with this one. Actually that is my plan. For anyone not looking to put all the wrench-turning, but still in love with the project, I'll be making myself available to transform their donor. I've definitely got the itch now .
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